What I Read - Maison Pham

So many books, too little time.

2019

Becoming – Michelle Obama
Drop everything and read this book! Michelle Obama’s bio reminded me of my own childhood and my process of “becoming” in America. I LOVED this book. It was written with such an honest candor and embracement about who she is and where she came from.

The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Apple – Scott Galloway
Recommended to me by a friend. The author writes primarily for a male audience interested in tech, and his examples veer on the edge of being misogynistic. As someone who works directly in the industry, it felt remiss that he forgot about 50% of the workforce in his narratives and analogies. I dislike his tone, but there are some interesting thoughts to be pulled about Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Apple.

Just Mercy – Bryan Stevenson
I saw Stevenson speak at a Bates commencement once and I thought to myself: “This man needs a bigger pulpit and an even bigger audience!” This book explores Stevenson’s journey as a lawyer who takes on his calling to pursue justice. It sheds light on the appalling nature of the systemic inequities in the American justice system. Very moving.

The Source of Self-Regard – Toni Morrison

When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi
When a neurosurgeon is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and decides to write a memoir, you know you are going to catch the feels. I read this at the airport in Medellin and my heart was literally aching when I read his wife’s epilogue.

My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferrante
An Italian novelist writes a brilliant 4-series book about friendship.

The Story with a New Name – Elena Ferrante

Less – Andrew Greer
I’m always keen to know what each year’s Pulitzer Prize winning book is all about.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol Dweck
(Recommended to me by a former Director who I admire)

A River of Stars – Vanessa Hua
(Gifted to me by a dear friend)

Never Anyone But You – Rupert Thomson
(Gifted to me by a dear friend)

The Course of Love – Alain De Bottom
(Recommended to me by my college roommate who was on the course of understanding the makings of a successful romantic relationship. I couldn’t finish it, but I hope to pick it up later this year)

Racism without Racists – Eduardo Bonilla-Silva
(I read this in a Sociology class in college, but wanted to revisit the book again this year).

2018

The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin

Re-Engineering Retail – Doug Stephens

Strengths Finder 2.0 – Gallup* (Recommend for understanding what your top 5 strengths are)

Purple Hibiscus – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Women in the Castle – Jessica Shattuck

Life 3.0 Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Max Tegmark

HBR: 10 Best Reads on Mental Toughness

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – Charles Duhigg

The Wangs Vs. The World – Jade Chang

Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes